#Japan #Philanthropy #Tokyo #community support #FIT Charity Run

Celebrating 20 Years of the FIT Charity Run

On October 17, 2025, the FIT Charity Run 2025 Executive Committee, co-chaired by Hiroshi Nakaya from MUFG and Kenji Tanabe from UBS, celebrated two decades of support through its milestone 20th Anniversary Ceremony and Welcome Reception. This event recognized the dedication of various participants who have contributed over the years, honoring both past and present organizations supported by FIT, as well as numerous sponsoring and collaborating companies.

The ceremony welcomed a total of 132 attendees, including representatives from previous and current supported organizations, sponsorship companies, and collaboration partners. This gathering served as an opportunity to reflect on the journey and impact of the FIT Charity Run, emphasizing its core belief of contributing to the local community through donations.

The event opened with a video presentation featuring interviews with past supported organizations' representatives, who shared stories about the transformations and hopes that FIT's donations have brought to their communities. The atmosphere was filled with warmth as long-term contributors were recognized, receiving applause from the audience, signifying their invaluable roles in FIT's narrative.

Keith Truelove, President of UBS Asset Management, shared his thoughts about their ongoing commitment to FIT, expressing gratitude for being part of this initiative since its inception in 2005. Furthermore, Aki Koizumi, Chief Corporate Branding Officer at Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, took the stage to convey his feelings about the organization's contributions over the years, while Jonathan Field from J.P. Morgan, who has been part of the committee since 2008, echoed the importance of FIT's spirit and legacy.

In showcasing the collaborative efforts, representatives from companies that have supported the event were introduced. Kenard Wong from Unifruity Japan has been providing bananas for runners annually since 2009, representing the diversity of support that helps sustain the FIT Charity Run. Also present was Nobu Nakazawa, President of Barrier-Free Company, who has led medical teams ensuring runners' safety since the event's beginning. Their contributions highlight the variety of companies supporting the FIT initiative.

The representatives from this year’s eight supported organizations also took the stage to share their activities and express their heartfelt thanks to FIT. This brought together a sense of unity, underlining how the circle of support has expanded over 20 years.

The latter part of the ceremony featured a networking reception, allowing participants to deepen connections and exchange ideas regarding past experiences and future outlooks. It became a moment where supporters, sponsors, and committee members reaffirmed their commitment to the FIT community as they look forward to the next two decades of impact.

In conclusion, heartfelt gratitude was expressed to everyone who has supported the FIT Charity Run over the past 20 years. The collective effort from past supported organizations, sponsors, collaborators, volunteers, and numerous supporters enabled FIT to celebrate this significant milestone. Looking ahead, the committee reiterated their commitment to the community, vowing to continue expanding the circle of support and encouraging ongoing contributions.

Event Overview

• - Event Name: FIT Charity Run 2025
• - Organizer: FIT Charity Run 2025 Executive Committee
• - Supporters: Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Asahi Shimbun, Nihon Keizai Shimbun
• - Date:

- Online: November 10, 2025 (Monday) – November 30, 2025 (Thursday)
- In-Person: December 7, 2025 (Sunday)

• - Location: Online and around Meiji Jingu Gaien
• - Events:

- Online: Running, Cycling, Walking
- In-Person: 10Km Run, 5Km Run, Walk, Kids Run, Corporate Relay

• - Participation Fee: ¥6,000
• - Eligibility: Employees and families of companies in the financial services and related sectors

About the FIT Charity Run

The FIT Charity Run aims to support non-profit organizations that engage in socially meaningful activities but struggle to secure sufficient funding due to a lack of recognition. This charity event has been held annually since its inception in 2005, following the disaster in Sumatra and the Indian Ocean tsunami in late 2004. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the event transitioned to an online format, combining both online and in-person activities thereafter. The first in-person event post-COVID-19 took place in 2022 at the newly built National Stadium. Most operational tasks, including managing the event, recruiting sponsors, selecting supported organizations, and enlisting collaborators, are primarily handled by volunteers who are employees of financial institutions and related enterprises.

For more details, visit the official website.
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